Three-dimensional puzzle



A. HARRIS 2,473,369

June 14, 1949.

Filed Nov. 18, 194

INVENTOR. Arthur Harris M7 HIS ATTORNEY Patented June 14, 1949 THREE-DIMENSIONAL PUZZLE Arthur Harris, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application November 18, 1947, Serial No. 786,635

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to a new article of manufacture useful as a puzzle.

The puzzle of this invention comprises a plurality of members capable of interlocking with one another by a combination of twisting and sliding motions to form a symmetrical and selfsupporting unit. The embodiment specifically disclosed herein comprises twelve members of equal length and cross-section.

The members of the puzzle may be made of any suitable material such as wood, metal, translucent or multi-colored synthetic plastics, or the like. The puzzle is useful as a game, as a source of self-entertainment and as a mechanical aptitude test.

An advantage of the present invention is that the members of the puzzle may easily be machined to the proper size and configuration and that they include no more than five difierent shapes.

This and further advantages, as well as the utility, of the invention will appear from the following description made with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the puzzle in its completely assembled form;

Figure 2 is an isometric view showing the relative positions of the first five members assembled;

Figure 3 is an isometric view showing the configuration of two of the members;

Figure 4 is an isometric view showing the configuration of four of the members;

Figure 5 is an isometric view showing the configuration of two other of the members;

Figure 6 is an isometric view showing the configuration of two more of the members; and

Figure 7 is an isometric view showing the configuration of the remaining two members.

For convenience in describing the manner in which the members of the puzzle are assembled to form the symmetrical self-supporting unit illustrated in Figure 1, the various members are designated by reference numerals I I to 22, inclusive. Members 2| and 22 are identical with one another and are formed as shown in Figure 3, members I2, I3, I5, and I8 are identical with one another and formed as shown in Figure 4, members I I and H are identical with one another and formed as shown in Figure 5, members I4 and I6 are identical with one another and formed as shown in Figure 6 and members I 9 and 20 are identical with one another and formed as shown in Figure '7.

Each of the members II to 22 inclusive has a middle portion 25, two end portions 26, and two recessed portions. The middle portions of the members are of equal length, the end portions are preferably, but not necessarily, of equal length, and each of said portions has a square cross-section.

Members I2, I3, I5, I8, 2| and 22 are each provided with two large recesses 21 that are wide enough to fit snugly over the middle portions 25 or end portions 26. Members 2| and 22 are further provided with two small recesses 28 and each of the members I2, I3, I5 and I8 are provided with two small recesses 28. Members II, I4, I6, and I! each have one large recess 2'! and a small recess 28 between the middle portion 25- and one end portion 26 and a cylindrical section 29 between the middle portion 25 and the other end portion 26, the members II and I1, however, being opposites of the members I4 and I6.

The members I9 and 20, illustrated in Figure 7, are each provided with two cylindrical portions 29 as shown.

It will become apparent, from a consideration of the configurations illustrated in Figures 3 to 7, inclusive, that the recessed portions, of which there are twenty-four in the twelve members, are of only three distinct types and that of these three, two are optical opposites. As a result, the equipment and operations required to shape the component members are kept to a minimum and the puzzle can be produced at low cost.

The members of the puzzle are assembled into the form shown in Figure 1 by proceeding in the following manner, it being understood, of course, that the relative positions of the various members may be checked at any time by reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing.

The cylindrical portion 29 of member II is engaged with the inner corner of a large recess 21 of the member I2, the large recesses 21 of said member I2 facing in an upwardly direction and the small recesses 28' facing outwardly. A large recess 21 of the member I3 is slipped over the outer portion 26 of the member II adjacent the engaged cylindrical portion 29 and slid toward member I2 until it enters the plane of member I2. The member II is then given a quarter turn clockwise to securely lock members II, I2 and I3 into the position shown in Figure 2.

The cylindrical portion 29 of the member I4 is then engaged with the inner corner of the other large recess 21 in member I2, a large recess 21 of the member I5 is slipped over the outer portion 26 of the member I4 protruding beyond the member I2, and member I4 is slid toward the the large recess 21 remaining open in member.

l5. The two large recesses 21 of the member l8 are then slipped over the middle portions 25 of members 16 and I! with the small recesses 28. of member l8 adjacent members l3 and 15. The member 18 is then slid along members l6 and I1 until it enters the plane of members l2, l3 and I5. Member I is given a quarter of a turn clock- Wise and member H is given a quarter of a turn counter-clockwise.

The cylindrical portions 29 of the member [9 are engaged with the inner corners of the large recesses 21 remaining open in members H and i6 and cylindrical portions 2d of the member 20 are engaged with the inner corners of the large recesses 21 remaining open in the members I4 and ii. The two-large recesses 21 of the member 2| are slipped over the protruding end portions 26 at the tops of members [9 and 20, the small recesses 28 of said member 2! facing downwardly and the member 21 is slid toward members [6 and I! until it enters the plane of members IS, IT, and 18. The two large recesses 21 of the member 22 are slipped over the protruding end portio s 26 at the bottoms of members 19 and 20, the small recesses 28 of the member 22 facing upwardly. The member 22 is then slid upwardly until it enters the plane of members H, [2, and

I4. Finally member I9 is given a quarter turn clockwise and member 20 is given a quarter turn counter-clockwise to form the symmetrical, selfsusta-ining unit illustrated in Figure 1, and having four horizontal members H, M, I6, and I1, four members l2, l8, 2|, and 22 transverse to the horizontal members, and four vertical members I3,

I5, 19, and 20.

It is to be understood, of course, that numerousv modifications and alterations will become apparent at once to those skilled in the art upon reading the description herein. Thus, for example, members I I I4, 16, and I! may be extended beyond the end portions 20 adjacent the cylindri-.

cal portions 29 and each be provided with an additional largerecess 21 and small recess 28', two additional members identical with. members l9 and 20 and two more additional members identical with members 2| and 22 could be provided so as to form a puzzle having six vertical members, four horizontal members and six members transverse to the horizontal members. It is also to be understood that the corners of the component members may be beveled or rounded to give them a more pleasin appearance. These are but a few examples of the various ways in which the. embodiment described specifically herein can. be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Iclaim:

1. A puzzle comprising four vertical members, four horizontal members, and four members transverse to the horizontal members interlocking to form a symmetrical, self-sustaining unit, each of said members having two recessed portions shaped to interlock with the recessed portions or two other members,.two of said members having cylindrical elements in both recessedportions and four of said elements each having, a cylindrical element in one of the two recessed portions .to allow rotation of the six last-named members relative to members engaged therewith.

2. A puzzle comprising four vertical members, four horizontal members, and four members transverse to the horizontal members interlocking to form a symmetrical, self-sustaining unit, each of said members having two recessed portions shaped to interlock with the recessed, portions of two other members and at. least some. of said members having cylindrical elements in at least one of the recessed portions to allow rotation of said members relative to members engaged therewith.

3. A puzzle comprising twelve component members of equal length and cross-section, each of said twelve members having two recessed portions shaped to interlock with the recessed portions of two other members and said twenty-four recessed portions each having one of three different configurations, one of said configurations comprising a cylinder having its axis parallel to the axis of the member, said members interlocking with one another to form asymmetrical, selfsustaining unit.

ARTHUR HARRIS.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 430,502

Altekruse June 1'7, i890 

